Surgical bone clamp



J. J. ETTINGER SURGICAL BONE CLAMP Sept 9, 1947.

Filed Jan.- 28, 1946 3 Sheets-Sheet '1' 'Sept. 9, 1947. ETTlNGER 2,427,128

1 SURGICAL BONE CLAMP Filed/Jail. 28, 1946 s Shets-Sheet 2 J. J. ETTINGER SURGICAL BONE CLAMP Fil ed Jan. 28, 1946 Sept. 9, 1947.

3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Sept. 9, 1947 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SURGICAL BONE CLAMP Joe J. Ettinger, Warsaw, Ind., assignor to Zimmer Manufacturing Company, Warsaw, Ind.

Application January 28, 1946, Serial No. 643,848

18 Claims. 1

This invention relates to surgical appliances and has special reference to a bone clamp.

Bone clamps have been heretofore known wherein the segments of a broken bone were held together by a pair of clamping jaws each grasping one side of the bone across the fracture. In these devices the jaws were held in parallelism and since bones are not generally purely cylindrical the jaws did not always effect proper clamping of the bone.

The principal object of the present invention is provide a novel form of bone clamp wherein least one of the jaws will be so mounted as to at to automatically adjust itself to the contour of the bone and thus effect uniform clamping pressure at the places wherein these jaws engage.

A second important object of the invention is to provide a device of this description which may be quickly adjusted to the bone and then securely forced and locked into position thereon, the quick adjustable means being detachable after the bone has been clamped.

A third important object of the invention is to provide a device of this character wherein there is a fixedly positioned jaw and a self adjusting jaw.

With the above and other objects in view the invention consists in general of certain novel details of construction and combinations of parts hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings and particularly claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the devic showing the jaws open and the quick adjusting means applied thereto.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary view from the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail section on the line 33 of ig. 2

Fig. 4 is a front elevation of the bone clamp shown in Fig. 1 with the jaws partly closed,

Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the clamp of Fig, 1 with the jaws partly closed.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged detail section on the line 66 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged detail section on the line 1-1 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 4 but showing a modification of the clamping jaws.

Fig. 9 is a side elevation of the clamp employing the type of jaws shown in Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a detail section on the line Iii-4U of Fig. 8.

In the construction of the invention as herein disclosed, two forms of the main portion of the devices are shown each of which may be primarily adjusted by the tongues shown in Fig. 1. These forms are quite similar but vary in certain details of the clamping jaws.

The first form is shown in Figs. 1 to 7 inclusive and in this form there is provided what may be termed a lower member [0 because of the provision of bone engaging jaws at the bottom of this member. A shank ll extends up from these jaws and is flattened on two sides l2 while the other two sides are threaded as at l 3. The lower part of the shank need not be threaded. On the shank II is mounted a flattened sleeve l4 which so fits the shank as to be slidable therealong but non-rotatable thereon as is best shown in Fig. 7.

Projecting from one flat side of the sleeve i4 is a boss I 5 and on this boss is mounted a yoke I6 which is pivoted to the boss by a screwii. This yoke l6 has a pair of forwardly extending arms I 8. Mounted on each of these arms is a jaw member l9 provided with a forked portion 2t straddling the arm and pivoted thereto by a pin 2|. These jaw members [9 are alinecl above the jaw members l0. Concentric with the axis of the screw [1 is a slot 22 and a pin 23 is fixed in the boss I 5 and extends into this slot so that the tilting of the yoke l6 on the screw I1 is limited. With this arrangement not only can the yoke tilt on the screw I! but also each of the jaw members l9 can rock onits pin 2!. Mounted on the upper end of the shank l I is a nut 24 havin a knurled head 25.

Extending rearwardly from the sleeve I4 is a lug 26 and extending rearwardly from the shank II below the sleeve [4 i 2. lug 27. These lugs are provided with eyes 28.

In connection with this arrangement there is provided a pair of tongs having members 29 and 30 pivoted together intermediate their ends as at 3!. These tongs extend forwardly from the pivots to form jaws 32 and each jaw is cut away at its forward end to form a rabbit 33 from the side of which extends a pin 34 adapted to fit in the lug 26. Pivoted to each jaw 32 is a cover plate 3'! which in one position lies over the end of the pin 34 but which may be moved out of this position to free the jaw and permit its removal from the lug 21. To aid in operating the plate 31 there is provided a finger grip 33 and to properly position it there is also provided a lug 39 which, when the plate is in closed position, engages the jaw 32 as shown in Fig. 2.

At the rear handle end of one of these tong members there is provided a boss 49 wherein is pivoted a ratchet member 4| which extends through an opening 42 shaped to provide a pawl like side 43. A spring 44 is interposed between the handle of the tong and this spring has an upturned end 45 which presses against the ratchet member M to hold teeth of the ratchet in contact with the pawl side 43. Thus the tongs may be closed and held closed but can only be released by tilting ratchet member 4| against the action of the spring end 45.

In operation the nut 24 is unscrewed, the tongs applied to the lugs 26 and 21 and the jaws placed on opposite sides of the broken bone. The tongs are then compressed to bring the jaws into close engagement with the bone whereupon the screw is screwed down to make a firm fit of said jaws on the bone. Then the tongs may be removed and the bone clamp left on the bone by itself so that a fracture plate may be applied or other means for holding the part permanently during healing.

In the form shown in Figs. 8 to 10 the construction of the parts is very similar but in place of the boss i there is provided a boss '46 whereon is pivoted a rocker member 41 carrying a generally rectangular and elongated bone clamp 48, the ends and central bar of which are curved as best seen in Fig. 9. Also the jaws it of the previous form are supplanted at the lower end of the shank H by an elongated and rectangular bone clamp 55. Bone clamps 48 and 50 are of skeleton construction as will be seen. This form is used in the same manner as the previously described form.

What is claimed is:

1. In a surgical bone clamp, a lower member including a shank having a bone engaging jaw at its lower end, an upper member mounted on said lower member for sliding movement along said shank, adjusting means to move said upper member along aid lower member, and bone engaging means pivoted to said upper member and rockable relative to said jaw.

2. In a surgical bone clamp, a lower member including a shank having a bone engaging jaw at its lower end, an upper member mounted on said lower member for sliding movement along said shank, adjusting means to move said upper member along said lower member, and bone engaging means pivoted to said upper member and rockable relative to said jaw, said last means including a base portion pivoted to the upper member and at least one secondary portion pivoted to the base portion, the pivoted axes of said base and secondary portions being at right angles to each other.

3. In a surgical clamp, a lower member including a shank having a bone engaging jaw at its lower end, an upper member mounted on said lower member for sliding movement along said shank, adjusting means to move said upper member along said lower member, and bone engaging means having universal joint connection with said upper member and opposed to said jaw.

4. In a surgical bone clamp, a lower member including a shank having a bone engaging jaw at its lower end, an upper member mounted on said lower member for sliding movement along said shank, adjusting means to move said upper member along said lower member, said adjusting means including a pair of tongs having detachable connection with said upper and lower members, and bone engaging means pivoted to said upper member and rockable relative to said jaw.

5. In a surgical bone clamp, a lower member including a shank having a bone engaging jaw at its lower end, an upper member mounted on said lower member for sliding movement along said shank, adjusting means to move said upper member along said lower member, said adjusting means including a pair of tongs having detachable connection with said upper and lower members, and bone engaging means pivoted to said upper member and rockable relative to said jaw, said last means including a base portion pivoted to the base portion, the pivoted axes of said base and secondary portions being at right angles to each other.

"6. In a surgical clamp, a lower member including a shank having a bone engaging jaw at its lower end, an upper member mounted on said lower member for sliding movement along said shank, adjusting means to move said upper member along said lower member, and bone engaging means having universal joint connection with said upper member and opposed to said jaw, said adjusting means including a pair of tongs having detachable connection with said upper and lower members.

'7. In a surgical bone clamp, a lower member including a shank having a bone engaging jaw at its lower end, an upper member mounted on said lower member for sliding movement along r said shank, adjusting means to move said upper member along said lower member, said adjusting means including a nut screwed on the upper end of the lower member and engaging the upper end of the upper member, and bone engaging means pivoted to said upper member and rockable relative to said jaw.

8. In a surgical bone clamp, a lower member including a, shank having a bone engaging jaw at its lower end, an upper member mounted on lower member for sliding movement along said shank, adjusting means to move said upper member along said lower member, said adjusting means including a nut screwed on the upper end of the lower member and engaging the upper end of the upper member, and bone engaging means pivoted to said upper member and rockable relative to said jaw, said last means including a base portion pivoted to the upper member and at least one secondary portion pivoted to the base portion, the pivoted axes of said base and secondary portions being at right angles to each other.

9. In a surgical clamp. a lower member eluding a shank having a bone engaging jaw at its lower end, an upper member mounted on said lower member for sliding movement along said shank, adjusting means to move upper member along said lower member, and bone en-- gaging means having universal joint connection with said upper member and opposed to said jaw, said adjusting means including a nut screwed on the upper end of the lower member and engaging the upper end of the upper member.

10. In a surgical bone clamp, a lower member including a shank having a bone engaging jaw at its lower end, an upper member mounted on said lower member for sliding movement along said shank, adjusting means to move said upper member along said lower member, and bone engaging means pivoted to said upper member and rockable relative to said jaw, said adjusting means including a pair of tongs having detachable connection with said upper and lower members and including a nut screwed on the upper end of the lower member and engageable with the upper end or" the upper member.

11. In a surgical bone clamp, a lower member including a shank having a bone engaging jaw at its lower end, an upper member mounted on said lower member for sliding movement along said shank, adjusting means to move said upper member along said lower member, and bone engaging means pivoted to said upper member and roekable relative to said jaw, said adjusting means including a pair of tongs having detachable connection with said upper and lower mem-- bers and including a, nut screwed on the upper end of the lower member and engageable with the upper end of the upper member, said last means including a base portion pivoted to the upper member and at least one secondary portion pivoted to the base portion, the pivoted axes of said base and secondary portions being at right angles to each other.

12. In a surgical clamp, a lower member including a shank having a bone engaging jaw at its lower end, an upper member mounted on said lower member for sliding movement along said shank, adjusting means to move said upper member along said lower member, and bone en" gaging means having universal joint connection with said upper member and opposed to said jaw, said adjusting means including a pair of tongs having detachable connection with said upper and lower members and including a nut screwed on the upper end of the lower member and engageable with the upper end of the upper memher, said engaging means including a base portion pivoted to the upper member and at least one secondary portion pivoted to the base portion, the pivoted axes of said base and secondary portions being at right angles to each other.

13. In a surgical bone clamp, a lower member including a shank having a bone engaging jaw at its lower end, an upper member mounted on said lower member for sliding movement along said shank, adjusting means to move said upper member along said lower member, and having a sleeve non-rotatably fitting on the shank of the lower member, and bone engaging means pivoted to said upper member and rockable relative to said jaw.

14. In a surgical clamp, a lower member including a shank having a bone engaging jaw at its lower end, an upper member mounted on said lower member for sliding movement along said shank, adjusting means to move said upper member along said lower member, and having a sleeve non-rotatably fitting on the shank of the lower member, said last means including a base portion pivoted to the upper member and at least one secondary portion pivoted to the base portion, the pivoted axes of said base and secondary portions being at right angles to each other.

15. In a surgical clamp, a lower member including a shank having a bone engaging jaw at its lower end, an upper member mounted on said lower member for sliding movement along said shank, adjusting means to move said upper member along said lower member, and having a sleeve non-rotatably fitting on the shank of the lower member, and bone engaging means pivoted to said upper member and rockable relative to said aw.

16. In a surgical clamp, a lower member including a shank having a bone engaging jaw at its lower end, an upper member mounted on said lower member for sliding movement along said shank, adjusting means to move said upper memher along said lower member, and having a sleeve non-rotatably fitting on the shank of the lower member, and bone engaging means pivoted to said upper member and rockable relative to said jaw, said adjusting means including a, pair of tongs having detachable connection with said upper and lower members and including a nut screwed on the upper end of the lower member and engageable with the upper end of the upper member.

17. In a surgical bone clamp, a lower member including a shank having a, bone engaging jaw at its lower end, an upper member mounted on said lower member for sliding movement along said shank, adjusting means to move said upper member along said lower member, and having a sleeve non-rotatably fitting on the shank of the lower member, and bone engaging means pivoted to said upper member and rockable relative to said jaw, said adjusting means including a, pair of tongs having detachable connection with said upper and lower members and including a nut screwed on the upper end of the lower member and engageable with the upper end of the upper member, said engaging means including a base portion pivoted to the upper member and at least one secondary portion pivoted to the base portion, the pivoted axes of said base and secondary portions being at right angles to each other.

18. In a, surgical clamp, a lower member including a shank having a bone engaging jaw at its lower end, an upper member mounted on said lower member for sliding movement along said shank, adjusting means to move said upper member along said lower member, and having a sleeve non-rotatably fitting on the shank of the lower member, and bone engaging means having universal joint connection with said upper member and opposed to said jaw, said adjusting means including a pair of tongs having detachable connection with said upper and lower members and including a. nut screwed on the upper end of the lower member and engageable with the upper end of the upper member, said engaging means including a base portion pivoted to the upper member and at least one secondary portion pivoted to the base portion, the pivoted axes of said base and secondary portions being at right angles to each other.

JOE J. ETTINGER. 

